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Re: US Manga Industry and Publisher News Thread

I always thought that vertical was like part of kodansha usa, with a more alternative catalogue but it seems they took this one from them lol and are open to license things from other publishers as well. which is cool, they normally choose good stuff.

Re: US Manga Industry and Publisher News Thread

This is really good news. I've got like 5 news series on my to buy list for this fall/winter/new years. Not very good news for my finances though. I guess it helps that Cross Game ends next month, so I can replace it with Attack on Titan, and I think 20th Century Boys ends next February, just in time for me to replace it with Knights of Sidonia.

Re: US Manga Industry and Publisher News Thread

Originally Posted by TXC

I always thought that vertical was like part of kodansha usa, with a more alternative catalogue but it seems they took this one from them lol and are open to license things from other publishers as well. which is cool, they normally choose good stuff.

Vertical is owned by Kodansha. They were originally a separate company, until Kodansha bought a controlling share in 2011. They will license manga from smaller publishers, in addition to Kodansha titles. Tetzuka reissues, especially Black Jack, will always be Vertical's flagship titles. They are a separate entity from Kodansha USA, owned directly by the parent company. Most of what they publish would be considered niche titles in the States, even if they would be considered mainstream in Japan.

After reading some recent Tweets it seems that Vertical wants to escape the perception of being a "niche", "alternative" publisher. Easier said than done when you license Lychee Hikari Club and Velveteen & Mandala. Don't be surprised to hear that they have licensed some mainstream shoujo in the near future. They also seem to want to get away from licensing classics, so don't expect Blame! any time soon. Or anything old, aside from Tezuka.

Re: US Manga Industry and Publisher News Thread

I asked for Choujin Gakuen, Ran to Haiiro no Sekai, YKK , and the Emanon series. I got a "no" for YKK and Emanon, but didn't get an answer for Choujin Gakuen or Ran to Haiiro no Sekai.

I'm personally fine if Vertical wants to change directions. I like mainstream stuff. I like niche/alternative stuff. There is interesting manga from both categories. Actually, I'm more likely to buy stuff that leans toward mainstream. I like weird and alternative manga, but not too weird.

Re: US Manga Industry and Publisher News Thread

I asked for Choujin Gakuen, Ran to Haiiro no Sekai, YKK , and the Emanon series. I got a "no" for YKK and Emanon, but didn't get an answer for Choujin Gakuen or Ran to Haiiro no Sekai.

I'm personally fine if Vertical wants to change directions. I like mainstream stuff. I like niche/alternative stuff. There is interesting manga from both categories. Actually, I'm more likely to buy stuff that leans toward mainstream. I like weird and alternative manga, but not too weird.

Seconded on Choujin Gakuen. I'd scoop that up immediately. Honestly I can't think of anything that isn't Shokakukan related I'd like to see over here, which means I'm sadly at the mercy of Viz.

Re: US Manga Industry and Publisher News Thread

I was actually the one asking for blame! They seem interested in stuff like chihayafuru or saki. More yen press/ seven seas style in my eyes.

I had asked too, a few weeks ago when he first said they were trying to license sci-fi series. Told me no old manga's and that's that

Chihaya is one of my favorite manga's, I'd love for it to be licensed. It would make a lot of sense for Vertical, it would fit in well with titles like Drops of God. Saki seems like something they should leave to Yen Press.

Originally Posted by MattC302

I asked for Choujin Gakuen, Ran to Haiiro no Sekai, YKK , and the Emanon series. I got a "no" for YKK and Emanon, but didn't get an answer for Choujin Gakuen or Ran to Haiiro no Sekai.

I'm personally fine if Vertical wants to change directions. I like mainstream stuff. I like niche/alternative stuff. There is interesting manga from both categories. Actually, I'm more likely to buy stuff that leans toward mainstream. I like weird and alternative manga, but not too weird.

I hope that whatever direction they take there focus remains on smart manga. I would love to see Emanon licensed, anything by Tokuma actually. Fortunately Emanon is not Kodansha, and would be available to another publisher. Sadly, I think this means no Spirit of Wonder or Wandering Island. I'd also like to see Choujin, but that seems more like a Kodansha USA title. Either way, I'd love to be able to buy copies.

Originally Posted by TXC

He told that they are interested in Moteki when I asked for Again!! (I got a no), besides that a good lot of no's and that btooom is licensed by someone else (they also wanted it, it seems).

He said something about not being able to license Moteki a few days ago, something about using song lyrics. I saw you ask about Again!! (I would have if you hadn't), honestly I'm a little surprised he said no. Hopefully Kodansha USA will license it.

Originally Posted by Bomber D Rufi

Seconded on Choujin Gakuen. I'd scoop that up immediately. Honestly I can't think of anything that isn't Shokakukan related I'd like to see over here, which means I'm sadly at the mercy of Viz.

Oyasumi Punpun and I am a Hero are at the top of my VIZ wishlist. Abara and the complete works of Matsumoto Taiyo (#5 reissues ) are also near the top. While I do prefer Kodansha, some of my favorite artists are associated with Shogakukan, so I do keep an eye on VIZ even if I watch Kodansha USA and Vertical a little closer.

Re: US Manga Industry and Publisher News Thread

Originally Posted by Kaiten

I had asked too, a few weeks ago when he first said they were trying to license sci-fi series. Told me no old manga's and that's that

Oyasumi Punpun and I am a Hero are at the top of my VIZ wishlist. Abara and the complete works of Matsumoto Taiyo (#5 reissues ) are also near the top. While I do prefer Kodansha, some of my favorite artists are associated with Shogakukan, so I do keep an eye on VIZ even if I watch Kodansha USA and Vertical a little closer.

I lied in my earlier post. I'd love to see a Coppelion license, and these guys could make that happen seeing that it's a Kodansha title. I'm slowly easing my way into the Seinen demographic (or 'growing up' in real life terms), and as such I'm beginning to care about seeing some of these obscure titles make it over. I just read Emanon and enjoyed it so I'm seconded on that too.

Re: US Manga Industry and Publisher News Thread

I'm curious about Coppelion, before the earthquake it seemed to be a manga on the rise. All it takes is one fan at either US branch. If you are on Twitter suggest it to @Vertical_Ed. I'm hoping someone is interested in the Emanon manga, even if it is one of the smaller, alternative publishers. I'd also like to see the novels translated into English.